Mmegi

Hospitality workers decry ‘slave labour’ conditions

Beauty and the beast: Hospitality workers say beneath the tourist wonders lies work-place heartache PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO
Beauty and the beast: Hospitality workers say beneath the tourist wonders lies work-place heartache PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

The Botswana Hotel, Catering, Travel and Tourism Workers Union (BHCTTWU) has levelled allegations of employee exploitation against the tourism and hospitality industry, citing problematic practices such as short-term contracts, low wages, long hours, and predatory staff rationalisation.

Presenting the laundry list of issues at a press briefing held amidst the Botswana Federation of Public, Private and Parastatal Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU), Nicholas Motiki, the BHCTTWU executive secretary, said the COVID-19 pandemic was one of the catalysts of the growing employee exploitation.

“Most of the big hotel chains in Botswana implemented ‘staff rationalisation’ during that period and have not looked back, regardless of the end of the pandemic,” he said.

Editor's Comment
Makgekgenene played her part

“Ignore the noise, focus on your work”- AnonymousAs the DG of such a controversy-ridden institution, you really played your part in the fight against corruption and economic crime. Your stay at the helm of the DCEC was quickly paying dividends under your stewardship. During your tenure, there was a lot of action as those caught on the wrong side of the law were brought to court regardless of their economic or political status. We have learnt...

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